‘Bedlam’: Series 2 Episode 4 review

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It’s all about revelations, rediscoveries and dirty secrets in Brightmoor this week, as new resident Scott (musical theatre star Lee Mead) moves into the former Bedlam Heights with his very young, and seemingly very mute brother, Jude (Alex Starke).

Before long the angry spirit of another boy, Robert, who was falsely accused by his own brother of murder, possesses Jude and starts causing mischief. And not just any mischief, as this young ghost sets out to kill the brother that wronged him, by using electricity, but not before creeping everyone out by repeatedly giving them the Last Rites. In Latin.

Elsewhere, Ellie (Lacey Turner) finds herself at the wrong end of a positive pregnancy test following her still unbelievable one night stand with slimy Dan (Nikesh Patel). But, relations between the pair have soured following his exploits with the wooden Bride-to-Be from last week’s episode, and he’s started to get jealous about Max’s (Jack Roth) friendship with Ellie. However, the fact that he spends most of his time moping around Bedlam Heights, unable to understand why Ellie doesn’t want him, before referring to her as Max’s territory, makes him infinitely less likeable.

Meanwhile Keira (Gemma Chan) finally gets a storyline when her Dad finds out that she has shacked up with Warren (Hugo Speer), apparently through a dodgy text sent by Warren. But while Keira whines about being financially cut off by her Dad, it emerges that Dan was the one who sent the text, and why?

Because he’s Warren’s illegitimate son from a fling he had in the 1980s. So while it soon becomes clear that the dodgy salesman’s womanising was due to his apparent abandonment issues, his long-awaited reveal is a messy affair, and so he jumps into bed with Keira. Sleeping with three different women in two episodes? How does he do it?

However, the strength of the episode lies with the Branded Man (Tam Dean Burn), who now has a name, Joseph Bale, and is becoming more powerful. But amidst all these happenings, Warren has finally realised that Something Has Happened to Kate. Mostly because of Kate’s failure to update her Facebook page for five weeks – whatever happened to a father’s intuition?

Speaking of parental instincts, as Ellie ponders what to do with her surprise pregnancy, Glowing Girl Eve (Sydney Wade) pops up to give her more clues about how she died, and it isn’t pretty.

Following last week’s disappointing outing, the fourth episode is a strong and relevant return to form, as Ellie’s pregnancy storyline is delicately and honestly handled. Bedlam, for all its transparent attempts at being sexy and/or scary can still be surprising, and better still, keep you wanting more.

While some characters are still a little clichéd and underwritten, such as Keira and nice barman Max, Starke’s portrayal of Jude really gives the series some much-needed power, and more than a few reminders of Damien in The Omen.

Aired at 10pm on Wednesday 20th June 2012 on Sky Living.

> Buy the Series 1 DVD on Amazon.

> Order Series 2 on DVD on Amazon.

What did you think of the episode? Let us know below…